Crime Report 2005

The City of Grand Terrace once again was listed among the cities with the lowest crime rates in the Inland Empire. (FOR THE YEAR 2005)

http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_D_crime19.3a4a1a3.html

What does that statistic mean. When compared to San Bernardino and Riverside, Grand Terrace has less Violent-Crime. The article in the Press did not detail the information on property crime.

The article did indicate that crime both violent and property type are under reported. We have heard public testimony at City Council Meetings of crimes not being reported as the citizens figure why bother when it will result in lengthy wait for an officer to respond. The City Council refuses to release the Call Log for Public Inspection of the types of calls into the Dispatch so no one can judge if there is an actual increase in calls into dispatch vs actual reports made, response times, and appropriate actions taken.

In the past the justification for not making this information available was it would look bad for the community and lower property values.

Grand Terrace Citizens have been treated to a year of crimes which include bank robbery, home intrusion or invasion, burglary, strong armed robbery, car jacking, physical assaults, arson, illegal fireworks, drug and alcohol abuse and use related crimes and more. Sure Grand Terrace may have a lower crime rate than San Bernardino... Is this the measure a society/community should use: We are better than, or not as bad as so and so, thus should be satisfied? Perhaps not.

Crime is nurtured by specific aspects of a community.

Increase the outlets where alcohol is sold or served for consumption: Crime Increases

Increase the number of places where transients and day laborers hangout: Crime Increases

Increase the number of single males: Crime Increases

Increase the number of hours 12 to 18 year olds are un-supervised or unemployed: Crime Increases. (Long Commutes of Parents to work contribute to under supervised youth.)

Lack of after-school programs for Youth: Crime Increases with the number of students.

No doubt there will be Council Members and City Management who will restate the Crime Statistics with pride and self satisfaction for a job well done. Question them as they do this as the statistics are flawed at best as is the logic of the statement we are good because someone is in worse condition that we are. It is kind of like a child saying Hey I got a D some one got an F so be proud of me.

The goal should be Crime Less or even Less Crime not Less Crime Than.

Grand Terrace certainly should report and make available ALL crime records, and information and encourage all citizens to report all crimes. False self satisfaction to promote high housing evaluations is a dangerous premise to promote.

One of the original purposes to this blog was to post the Arrests in Grand Terrace so that the Citizens and Council Members who wanted to know could find the data in a single place. This was the FIRST OFFENSIVE thing this Blog Did.